'Finally the bride': Wishart family wins senior supreme sash at Bendigo

A cow that has been the bridesmaid for most of her show career has finally been made the bride at the Victorian Winter Fair in Bendigo.

Exhibit 193, Byrne Lea Octane Buttersnap, was crowned the senior supreme champion, fending off competition from cows across Victoria and interstate.

It was a family affair for the Wishart family, Cohuna, who took home the supreme ribbon.

Rick and Tina Wishart and their daughters Emmalea, Kaitlyn and April, Rowlands Park Holsteins, had exhibited at the fair for many years, but the win on Thursday was their first supreme sash.

The show-mad sisters and their parents were very proud of their achievement.

Oldest sister Kaitlyn walked the supreme cow on Thursday, first when she won the seven-year-old and over, in milk, born before June 30, 2018, class, and then for the supreme sashing.

Kaitlyn said her show-winning cow was "balanced and complete".

"She's always been at the top end of the classes that she's been in, but it's nice to finally see her recognised for her full potential and celebrated the way she should be," she said.

"She's always been the bridesmaid, [and now] finally the bride.

"She has a lot of admirers around, so it's great to hear everyone cheering her on.

"A few people have come just to see her, so it's really nice to get there in the end."

The cow was originally bred by Craig and Fiona Fisher, Byrne Lea Holsteins, Drumborg, and bought by the Wisharts as a two-year-old in calf.

The cow was sired by Stantons High Octane and out of Byrne Lea Sid Buttersnap.

"She's a great cow," Mr Wishart said.

"We bought her and she's just kept developing.

"We've worked with her a lot and we're very, very happy and proud of her."

Kaitlyn said the cow had been a project of sorts for her and her sisters.

"We bought her as a cow when she wasn't broken yet," she said.

"It's been a team effort, but I've kind of claimed her, put in a lot of work.

"Everyone at home has done an incredible job and put a lot of hours into making sure she looks as good as she can."

Judge Lisa McKay, Irrewillipe, described the overall senior champion as a "super cow".

"When we get these cows side by side, it's the frame [she has]," she said.

"I love dairyness, the openness of her rib, and she does have a really good udder too."

Ms McKay said the cow had great depth and was "feminine throughout".

Mr Wishart highlighted the cow's udder and said it was simply "smacked on".

"She's just a big cow, plenty of rib, everything you look for in a cow, really," he said.

He thanked his daughters and wife for all the work they put into their cows and the Fisher family for originally breeding the champion.

Tina also thanked their backroom team, including those who helped prepare the cow for the showring.

"We have an amazing team behind us," she said.

"We're very fortunate."

Reserve senior champion was exhibit 172, Gorbro Sidekick Repa, owned by Gorbro Holsteins, Cohuna.

Exhibit 182, Winwood Tattoo Lights Out, received an honourable mention.

The cow was owned by Winwood Holsteins, Cohuna.